designThe expansion of approximately 3.000 m² is realised in a volume on columns floating above the ramp to the underground parking and connected to the existing 3.000 m² office floors.

The architecture of the new facades is generally in line with the existing building. But at the connection of the expansion and existing building there has been placed an intermediair. A zone, slightly pressed inwards, having a width of about three meters with facades executed in building-high horizontal articulated glass panels, which feature a print screen of black dots. Because of this 'necking' inbetween the new expansion and existing building, the new volume remains a more or less independent object equivalent in size and direction with buildings in the immediate vicinity such as the building and FoxIt and Westcord Hotel.

At the far end of the new volume, on the side of the parking plaza, there is a wide double-height glass front, that makes a big window to the square. On the larger scale of the entire complex this big window is related to the huge glass front window of the cantilever with the restaurant, which also overlooks the square.

locationGiven its location, the building forms a buffer between town and landscape and is situated directly adjacent to the A13 motorway which connects The Hague with Rotterdam. The motorway separates the IKEA building from the town of Delft.

assignmentFor being the Concept Center, the IKEA store in Delft has an important global role in the Inter IKEA Systems organization. The complex includes an IKEA store but also other facilities a.o. to serve as a laboratory for testing new ideas and as a knowledge- and training center for further development of the 'IKEA concept'.

Now as a result of a worldwide restructuring of the organization, multiple business units and support groups will be accommodated in Delft. The people from the units and groups will often work together in various project teams, in a more or less organic way. To make this possible, the existing office area in the IKEA Concept Center in Delft will be completely transformed and also significantly expanded. A working environment will be offered to approximately 400 employees who have Delft as a working home base. But there also will be facilities to have over IKEA employees from all over the world for any period of time.

In close cooperation with Inter IKEA Systems, Knevel Architecten designed a working environment that offers accommodation to the global change in its organization and working methods. The design comprises fixed but mainly flexible workstations, rooms for workshops (which can be combined into an auditorium), meeting rooms, quiet rooms, an amphi stairs, coffee corners and other facilities. There are alsotwo double high 'green' walls in voids. One next to the large window at the far end of the new volume and one in the well of the main stairs. In order to achieve unity in the interior and create a more natural atmosphere in the office part will be used wood in various fields.